An unknown goddess

Some times ago, an interesting discovery was made by archaeologists on the Aegean island of Kea. An American team explored a temple which stands in an ancient city on the promontory of Ayia Irini.The city at one time must have been prosperous, for it enjoyed a high level of civilization. Houses--often three storeys high——were built of stone.They had large rooms with beautifully decorated walls. The city was even equipped with a drainage system, for a great clay pipes were found beneath the narrow streets.

　　The temple which the archaeologists explored was used as a place of worship from the fifteenth century B.C.until Roman times.In the most scared room of the temple,clay fragments of fifteen status were found.Each of these represented a goddess and had,at one time,been painted. The body of one statue was found among remains dating from the fifteenth century B.C. This head must have been found in Classical times and carefully preserved. It was very old and precious even then. When the archaeologists reconstructed the fragments,they were amazed to find that the goddess turned out to be a very modern-looking woman.She stood three feet high and her hands rested on her hips.She was wearing a full-length skirt which swept the groud.Despite her great age,she was very graceful indeed,but ,so far,the archaeologists have been unable todiscover her identity.

goddess 女神

archaeologist 考古学家

civilization 文明

drainage 排水

fragments 碎片

reconstruct 修复

graceful 优雅的